At the same time, I met amazing people! Some who have been writing for years/decades. Some are new to the industry. Some have published books. Some have not. Some are pre-published. Some are unpublished. (I’m not sure if that’s the same thing, and I didn’t want to ask—I’m pretty sure it is though). There were older people. There were younger people. There were women (lots). There were men (some). There were famous authors. There were aspiring authors. There were extroverts. There were introverts. And we all had the same goal. Improving our skills, making new connections, supporting each other, and getting stories out into the world. What a beautiful place to be. A place where everyone wants to tell and share stories with kids! What an amazing common goal!

I had my first professional critique from a professional children’s book editor on one of my manuscripts. I got really positive feedback which feels amazingly validating! With some small suggestions for improvements.

I attended sessions on how to improve character voice, writing query letters, self-publishing, , amping up non-fiction in children’s writing, and so much more. I attended a panel of authors who have had some of their books banned and have received death threats (sad to learn that that is a thing!!)

I met and heard from authors such as Jason Reynolds, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Kate Messner to name a few. I gained inspiration, skills, connections, and joy!

Because the conference was at a hotel in Times Square, I also had the opportunity to take in a couple of Broadway shows—&Juliet and Death Becomes Her. Both were amazing. I spent a couple of hours at MoMA and the MoMA Design Store. I took care of the newly developing creative me.

There’s a lot for me to unpack from these past few days. A lot to reflect on. A lot of input to put into practice. One part of me wants to get started on manuscript revisions right away. One part of me wants to revise my query letter and get it out to more agents. One part of me wants to read through all the notes I took over the weekend. One part of me is exhausted and just wants to sleep. And the realistic part of me is heading back home to get back to work on my day job as an engineer which is also work that I love. I will say, none of me wants to sit on an airplane heading back to -12 degree weather followed by a 3-hour drive home. But alas, that is what the day holds.

Here’s to a feeding our creative souls and to all the stories in the world waiting to be told.

I’m pretty excited as I’m off to my first nationwide SCBWI (Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators) conference!

Over the past three years I’ve been writing picture book manuscripts that are girl-in-STEM themed. I’ve been learning a lot along the way and have three manuscripts that are ready (I think) for querying agents and working towards getting published. I’m going to try to get them traditionally published (meaning they go through a publishing house and are not self-published which is what my coloring book is).

It’s a VERY challenging and competitive process and STEM agents/publishers are even more difficult to find. I’m hoping this weekend brings inspiration and connection and moves me forward in this process. Normalizing women in STEM is my end goal and getting books about women in STEM, girls in STEM and inspiring girls about STEM is my (hopeful) contribution towards this.

As an introvert, heading to a conference filled with all people I don’t know, in an industry I’m very new to is quite intimidating. I’m going to channel my inner Winnie Klick who once told me that she views conferences where she doesn’t know people as an “opportunity to meet new people”. Here’s to a weekend of meeting new people, developing my writing skills, and making new connections!

Together, they explore what intellectual property (IP) law really is, how STEM professionals are critical to patent work, and why careers like technical specialist, patent agent, and IP attorney can be incredibly dynamic, creative, and rewarding. Christine also opens up about her winding path from aspiring physician to industrial/organizational psychologist to talent leader in IP law.

This conversation is uplifting, surprising, and packed with insights on innovation, communication skills, resilience, and the future of STEM in law.

Topics We Cover

• What intellectual property (IP) law actually is — and what it isn’t

• How scientists, engineers, and STEM grads power patent work

• The differences between technical specialists, patent agents, and patent attorneys

• How patent agents can take the patent bar without a law degree

• What prosecution means in the patent world

• How to know when to contact a patent attorney about an idea

• Why communication skills matter as much as technical skills

• Diversity in IP law and building a more inclusive STEM-to-law pipeline

• How remote work has shifted resilience, social skills, and workplace culture

• Christine’s path from psychology to legal talent leadership

• Why patent law is “like Disneyland” for people who love innovation

Key Messages

• STEM backgrounds are incredibly versatile. Engineers and scientists aren’t limited to labs — they can build long, impactful careers in patent law and innovation strategy.

• You don’t need a JD to work in patent law. Patent agents can draft and prosecute patents with only the patent bar + STEM expertise.

• Communication is a superpower. The ability to translate complex science into everyday language is essential everywhere — especially in IP.

• Career paths can be nonlinear and still land exactly where you belong. Christine’s story is a great example.

• Humans need connection. Christine’s insights on resilience, mental health, and post-pandemic social shifts apply far beyond law.

About Our Guest

Christine Hollis is the Chief Talent & Diversity Officer at Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP in Chicago. She leads recruiting, professional development, DEI strategy, and organizational culture for a firm filled with engineers, scientists, and attorneys working at the forefront of innovation. Christine has a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has built a career helping technical professionals thrive in people-first workplaces.

Links & Resources

• Marshall Gerstein & Borun LLP:

https://www.marshallip.com

• Patent Pending Speakeasy in NYC:

https://www.patentpendingnyc.com/

Connect With Us

• Podcast Website:

https://www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com

• Email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

• Voicemail: Leave a message directly on our website!

• Follow & Review: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform

Your ratings and shares help amplify women’s voices in STEM. Thank you for listening and supporting our mission!

Music by Kay Paulus

Linda shares her journey from being one of the few women working as a large-animal veterinarian to building a groundbreaking career in veterinary pharmaceuticals, biotech startups, and executive leadership. Along the way, she reflects honestly on the realities of being a pioneer in a male-dominated field, the personal tradeoffs that come with ambitious careers, and the importance of making intentional choices — even when there’s no clear roadmap.

This conversation dives into what really counts as STEM, why agriculture and veterinary medicine belong in the STEM conversation, and how women can redefine success on their own terms at every stage of life.

🌾 What We Talk About in This Episode

• Why veterinary medicine and agriculture are often overlooked as STEM careers

• Being one of the first women in large-animal veterinary medicine

• Learning to balance — and sometimes choose between — career, relationships, and personal fulfillment

• Writing Breaking the Barnyard Barrier and transitioning from scientific to narrative writing

• Navigating male-dominated spaces in biotech, pharmaceuticals, and venture capital

• Starting, scaling, and selling a successful animal health company

• Why career paths don’t have to be linear — and often shouldn’t be

• Advice for early-career professionals trying to figure out what they actually want to do

• Redefining success, freedom, and fulfillment later in life

Breaking the Barnyard Barrier by Linda Rhodes

👉 Purchase the book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Barnyard-Barrier-Woman-Veterinarian/dp/1647792355

👉 Purchase the book on Barnes and Noble here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breaking-the-barnyard-barrier-linda-rhodes/1147476620?ean=9781647792350

💡 Ask the (Not) Experts – Listener Question

“How do I find a career that I’ll like?”

Linda, Kathy, and Linda LaTourelle reflect on why it’s okay — and often necessary — to try different paths, reassess over time, and pay attention to what doesn’t fit just as much as what does.

✨ Favorite Moments

• The moment Linda first realized she could be a veterinarian

• A candid discussion about the pressure women feel to “do it all”

• Why some of the most fulfilling decades of life can come later than expected

Have a question for Ask the (Not) Experts or want to say hello?
📧 Email us at ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

🎙️ Or leave us a voicemail at ordinarilyextraordinary.com

Music by Kay Paulus

Kathy first met Mishael this summer while rowing through the Grand Canyon on a 14-day paddle trip. What began as a passing “Wait… you’re an engineer?” moment turned into months of wanting to learn more about her unconventional, intentional path. Today, you’ll hear that full story.

About Mishael Umlor

Mishael holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental engineering and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on hydrology, water quality, and river systems modeling. After earning her PE, she made the bold decision to step away for a year to travel, guide rivers, reconnect with family, and build a life that aligns with her values.

During her year away she:

• Guided rafting trips in the Grand Canyon

• Traveled for six weeks in Belize — where she and her husband had their wedding attire custom-designed

• Rode motorcycles through Central America

• Spent months backcountry camping in Baja

• Completed a five-week ski tour using a DIY truck camper

• Visited family across the Midwest

• Got married

• And reconnected with the outdoors in ways that shape the next chapter of her engineering career

Her story is a powerful example of designing a life with intentionality, courage, and creativity.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• How Mishael discovered environmental engineering through community college and a love of math

• Her experience working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Taking a year off after earning her PE — what she learned and how she made it possible

• The logistics and finances of long-term travel and seasonal living

• River guiding, safety stories, and what it’s really like flipping a fully loaded kitchen boat in the Grand Canyon

• Finding balance between a technical career and a passion-driven outdoor lifestyle

• What she wants her engineering career to look like next — and how she plans to blend contract work and river-based fieldwork

• The beauty of creating a life you actually want (even when it doesn’t look like the traditional path)

Why You’ll Love This Episode

Mishael’s story is a refreshing and inspiring look at the many ways women in STEM can shape careers that don’t fit into boxes. Her honesty about fear, joy, logistics, and dreams makes this a conversation that will resonate with anyone rethinking their own path — whether early, mid, or late career.

Connect & Follow

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it helps others discover these stories.

Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode, and share with a friend, colleague, or fellow adventurer.

Have a question or comment?
Email us at OrdinarilyExtraordinaryPod@gmail.com

or leave a voicemail at Ordinarily-Extraordinary.com

As I reflect this Advent season—a season when we are supposed to be calm and still— my mind is feeling anything but. I am feeling anxious and frantic and all the things I don’t want to feel at this time of year. And all the while, my heart yearns for peace and quiet.

The phrase “My soul in stillness waits” speaks deeply to me. I long for my soul to be still. I long for peace and tranquility. As I look outside at the beautiful—and very cold—landscape of my lake, the world appears calm and still. What is making me feel anxious? There’s always a lot to do at Christmastime. And maybe that’s worth reflecting on. Why do I put so much on myself—no one really asks me to do all the things. There’s the baking, the shopping, the Christmas parties and get-togethers. My college kid is home, so extra cooking and cleaning.

Work feels busy this time of year too. Lining up client work for next year, expense tracking, websites to update, Holiday cards to send to business associates, training offerings to develop content for, conference presentations to create, and on and on.

I also published my coloring book right before Thanksgiving, but not early enough to get copies in time to sell in stores for Black Friday. I’m learning how and where to get my book into stores. It’s a very time-consuming process and requires a lot of custom emails and personal visits to stores. And, I’m learning an entirely new business!

Whew, just writing this down feels a bit overwhelming—and it’s all good and things that are important. And yet, what is the most important part of the season? Advent means “coming”. In Christianity, it is the time where we wait and anticipate Christ’s coming. As a person of faith, this is a time I’m supposed to slow down. A time to be mindful. It is one of the two most important seasons in the church year. And, like usual, I feel like I’m “failing” at Advent.

So, how do I bring peace into life when it feels so chaotic? I’d like to come here with the answers. I feel like if people are taking the time to read my newsletter I should be providing “wise words” for others. When I relaunched Ordinarily Extraordinary – conversations with women in STEM this fall, we added a section called “Ask the (not) Expert” where we provide our advice to listeners. We are very upfront with the fact that we’re not experts. We’re just people with opinions and ideas. Maybe it’s ok for me not to have the answers here either. I’m a work in progress. I’m still learning—yes, at 54, I’m still figuring it out, or trying to figure it out. Maybe that’s ok. I have a therapist. I have friends and community. I have the “Headspace” app. I have lots of tools and support.

For now, I’ll breathe...deeply. I’ll schedule time with my friends. I’ll move my body. I’ll go out into nature (although not today. Today “nature” is -20°…). I’ll meditate extra. I’ll pet my dog. I’ll hug my kids. I’ll put away my ideas and need for creating the “perfect” Christmas. Even though we’re halfway through Advent, I can start today.

It took a little longer to get through the publishing process than I expected, so it’s a couple of weeks late—but it’s here!

I’m so proud of the beautiful illustrations my daughter created for this book. It has been such a joy to work with her and bring this project to life together.

In this book, you’ll find amazing women in STEM—from a bat scientist to a crash test engineer and even a code breaker. Each one of these women has an incredible story. The book includes 25 illustrations and 31 coloring pages, along with actual photos and biographies in the back.

If you have kids in your life who are curious, creative, or love learning, or if you simply want to celebrate and support women in STEM, I hope you’ll take a look. This project has meant so much to me, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you.

(This also will make a great Holiday gift!!)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2YSJ9XW

It started with podcast conversations over the past five years that turned into an idea: normalizing women in STEM careers for girls — because representation matters.

I contacted women from my podcast for the book, got suggestions for others, collected photographs of them on the job as starting points for Emily’s illustrations, and wrote simple bios for the illustration pages and longer bios for the back.

Then Emily went to work creating the illustrations. We sent packets to the women who wanted to be included, and we also had to get releases so we could use their images. I had to learn how to assemble a coloring book, how to use Amazon KDP, how to buy an ISBN number and barcode, what an ISBN number even is (International Standard Book Number - a unique identifier for my book in the publishing world), figure out pricing, and decide where to sell the book — I truly learned (and am still learning) an entirely new industry and business.

Which brings me to today — when I hit the “upload” button and the book is ready to be printed for me to proof! I am beyond excited.

Once the book is ready to be purchased — estimated for November 4 — I can start marketing. Initially, that will mostly be online, and hopefully it can become a fun and meaningful holiday gift. I’ll also approach some local businesses to see if I can get the book into stores. After the holidays, I have some other marketing ideas (and have already gotten great suggestions from others).

I’m just thrilled to be at this point — it’s finally becoming a real book!

Together, they explore:

• How following her curiosity led from science to technology to energy innovation

• The importance of personal resilience and adaptability in career transitions

• Lessons learned from working across IT, OT, and product management

• Building a strong professional network and personal brand that opens doors

• The ups and downs of starting her own business—and finding joy in the process

• Why compassion, authenticity, and professionalism are essential leadership traits

• Learning to speak up and show your expertise, especially when underestimated

The episode wraps with their “Ask the (Not) Expert” segment, where Kathy, Linda, and Manyphay discuss handling assumptions in the workplace—like being mistaken for administrative staff—and how to respond with confidence and professionalism.

Key Takeaways

• Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight line—curiosity creates opportunity.

• Resilience and adaptability matter as much as technical skill.

• Building genuine relationships can define your career success.

• Authentic leadership blends confidence with compassion.

• Taking the leap into entrepreneurship can be both empowering and fulfilling.

• Manyphay’s planned book has become a blog which can be found on Substack here: https://substack.com/@manyphay

Acronym Glossary

• AMI – Advanced Metering Infrastructure

• SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

• IoT – Internet of Things

• IT – Information Technology

• OT – Operational Technology

• HVAC – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

Inside, you’ll find 25 inspiring women working in STEM fields today—from a bat scientist to a code breaker to a wind engineer and many more. Each coloring page introduces these women in a way that’s fun and understandable for kids, while the back of the book includes real photos and extended bios so parents can share more about their stories.

We’re on track to release the book just in time for the holiday season (early November!). I can’t wait to get this into the hands of kids, parents, and classrooms—and I’m so excited to finally be at the stage of sharing it with all of you.

I’ll share information on how to purchase your own copy in the next couple of weeks as soon as it’s available. This is a fun way to introduce girls to STEM and explore different STEM fields.

Lawanda shares her journey from studying business administration with a strong math and computer science foundation at the University of Florida, to becoming one of the few Black women in tech during her era, to leading large-scale projects in the utility industry.

She reflects on:

• Transitioning from IBM into the utility sector and the challenges of large-scale software implementations.

• How her love of math, particularly calculus, shaped her career path.

• The importance of mentors and sponsors, including those who encouraged her to pursue a master’s degree.

• Building strong, diverse teams and the value of hiring people smarter than yourself.

• Overcoming the fear of public speaking as an introverted techie.

• Her perspective on management versus technical career paths and advice for navigating that choice.

• Why utilities need to do a better job of marketing themselves to the next generation of STEM professionals.

The conversation also dives into listener advice questions, covering:

• Should you move into management if you love technical work?

• What to do if your company offers to pay for grad school in a field you don’t love.

Lawanda’s story is one of resilience, lifelong learning, and the joy of finding passion in work while paving the way for future generations.

About Lawanda:
Lawanda Parnell is a retired technology and utility leader whose career began at IBM and later spanned leadership roles in the energy sector, including CPS Energy and Pedernales Electric Cooperative. With a background in business and computer science, she combined her love of math and technology with strong project management skills to lead large-scale IT transformations and mentor future STEM professionals.

Want to ask a question for our new advice segment?

• Leave us a voicemail through our website www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com

• Or email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

In this episode, Kathy is joined by her longtime friend and new co-host, Linda LaTourelle, to talk with Stacy Cluff, IT and Broadband Manager at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative. Stacy has worked at Mille Lacs for 28 years, wearing many hats in technology, IT, and now leading the co-op’s broadband program — bringing critical fiber broadband service to rural Minnesota communities.

What We Talk About

• Why Kathy took a break from the podcast and what’s new in the relaunch

• Linda’s background in utility technology and excitement for co-hosting

• Stacy’s career journey from paralegal studies to becoming a leader in IT and broadband

• What it’s like to manage fiber projects, grant funding, and IT at a small electric co-op

• Balancing career, education, and raising a family — and advice for women considering going back to school

• The importance of broadband in rural areas and the impact it has on communities

• The challenges of stepping out of your comfort zone to speak up, network, and lead

• Reflections on empty nesting, staying busy, and what’s next (including Stacy’s exciting news about becoming a grandma!)

New Segment: Ask (Not) an Expert

As part of the relaunch, we’re introducing a new advice section where listeners can send in questions. In this episode, Kathy, Linda, and Stacy weigh in on:

• How to handle being excluded from after-work socializing with male colleagues

• Deciding when to go back to school vs. starting a family, and how to manage both

Rapid Fire with Stacy

• Favorite STEM inspirations

• One word to describe her career journey

• The most unexpected skills she’s had to learn on the job

About Our Guest

Stacy Cluff is the IT and Broadband Manager at Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative. She manages the cooperative’s broadband deployment, including grant funding, contractors, and customer engagement, while also overseeing IT operations. Stacy is passionate about bringing affordable, reliable internet to rural communities and supporting her co-op’s mission to serve its members.

Want to ask a question for our new advice segment?

• Leave us a voicemail through our website www.ordinarily-extraordinary.com

• Or email: ordinarilyextraordinarypod@gmail.com

Music by Kay Paulus

Follow Kay on Instagram @kaypaulus8

This coloring book is being illustrated by my daughter, who I am delighted to be collaborating with on this project. Emily is an amazing artist who is able to show these women in their work environments in a way that children will find engaging and easy to color. Additionally, in the back of the coloring book, there will be an actual photo of the woman and a brief biography about her and a lengthier explanation of what she does.

I hope that this coloring book will show girls what the future may hold for them. Representation matters and representation to girls, even at an early age matters.

This book features 27 women in a variety of STEM fields – from a bat scientist to a machine lubrication engineer to a code breaker and many, many others. I am truly excited about this project and to be collaborating with my daughter on it – it’s truly been a labor of love and I can’t wait to bring it to the world in a couple of months!

The coloring book, currently titled “STEM Super Stars” is expected to be published and available for purchase in time for the Holiday gift buying season – so keep a look out for it this coming November!

I started this podcast in 2020, shortly after the start of the pandemic. Over the past 4 ½ years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with more than 130 incredible women—from lifelong friends in utility engineering to a professor of Quantum Engineering at Harvard (now UCLA), to a climate and energy artist, and so many others. These conversations have been authentic, vulnerable, and inspiring—and I’ve learned something new from every single guest. If you’re new here, there’s a whole library of episodes waiting for you to binge.

As we step into this next chapter, I’m thrilled to share that I won’t be doing it alone. I’m joined by my long-time friend and utility colleague, Linda LaTourelle, who spent her career working in technology for utilities. Linda was one of my very first guests back in the beginning, and now she’s joining me behind the mic. She brings her own perspective, curiosity, and humor—and while she’s still finding her podcasting groove, I know you’re going to love her voice in these conversations.

We’ll continue shining a light on the “ordinary yet extraordinary” women who are shaping STEM, and yes, you’ll probably hear a little extra utility flavor in the mix as we get started. But most importantly, you’ll hear real stories from real women—about their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

And we’re adding something new! Each episode will now include a segment we’re calling “Ask the Not Expert.”This is your chance to send us your questions—about careers, life in STEM, leadership, or whatever’s on your mind—and Linda and I will tackle them with honesty, humor, and humility. We may not be experts on everything, but we’re here to share our perspectives and start the conversation.

You can call in and leave us a voicemail or email your questions here—we’d love to hear from you!

The relaunch episode drops tomorrow—make sure you’re following so you don’t miss it! And if you’ve been with me since the start: thank you. This community exists because of you, and I couldn’t be more grateful to keep sharing these stories with you.

The Podcast Spark

I started the podcast because I listened to Dax Shepard’s Arm Chair Expert podcast where he had people on to share their stories – it was informal and casual and I liked that. He also had his actor friends on, and when the women talked about the challenges of being in Hollywood, I heard so many parallels to what my friends and I experienced in STEM. But no one was sharing our stories. There were starting to be stories about historical women in STEM, but very few about contemporary women in STEM. Then the pandemic happened, I got furloughed from my job and found myself with time on my hands – so let’s start a podcast!

From my first couple of interviews with my engineering besties – Tami & Kerry, my podcast grew and soon I had people contacting me to be on my podcast and I met the most amazing women! I was so inspired by these women’s stories and I loved sharing them and creating community. We need our villages!

The Gaps I Saw

As the podcast continued, there were a couple of recurring themes – how do we move the needle for women in STEM? And a recurring thought entered my head: normalize women in STEM in mass media – books, movies, TV shows, etc. Why isn’t it “normal” for women to have STEM careers in the media we consume on a daily basis – not even lead characters, but minor characters. Instead of a woman being a teacher or an admin assistant (not that there’s anything wrong with those jobs), why couldn’t she be a chemist or an engineer and just be a “normal” person. Why aren’t these just our jobs and we are “normal” people?

The second theme was women changing how they acted or dressed to fit in with “the guys” when they started their careers. I heard from many women and did this myself - they went from wearing bright colorful, fun clothes and skirts to black or grey. Or they started talking about sports even if they didn’t care about it to fit in. I sewed and baked and decorated cakes when I was younger – I never talked about that at work.

Why I Write

During one of my podcast conversations – or perhaps after we quit recording, I mentioned to someone that I was thinking I’d try writing children’s books when I retire. She asked me a simple question: Why wait until you retire? So, here I am a couple years into learning the craft of writing and a completely different skill set and industry. I have since:

· Joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators)

· Gone to writing conferences

· Joined multiple critique groups

· Joined the 12 x 12 Challenge to write regularly

· Hired an editor for my first manuscript

I’m now getting ready to send out query letters to find an agent or publisher. All of these are things I’ve learned in just the last couple of years.

My characters will be girly – not that you can’t be a “tomboy” or be whoever you are, but I want to show girls at an early age that they can be sparkly and girly and be interested in space or rocks or glaciers or anything and still be a girl and like “girly” things. My books aren’t about careers – they are about sparking an interest in young girls and planting seeds at an early age.

And I am in the final stages of a coloring book I’m working on with my daughter. This book is based on a lot of women that have been on my podcast and it is about careers. These are all contemporary women and I want to show girls that there are women in these careers and they are real women – there will be a bio and actual picture of these women in the back of the coloring book.

If this resonates with you, here’s how you can help me keep going:

· Subscribe & share this newsletter

· Support my work on Ko-fi or PodPage Membership

· Sponsor the podcast to spotlight women in STEM

Changing the World Together

My husband asked me a couple of days ago why I’m doing this. I said it’s not to make money. It’s to change the world. And he said “Changing the world one story at a time”. It sounds like a pretentious tag line. But it’s not me changing the world. It’s US changing the world. All of us. Our community. Those of us here. Those of us in STEM. Those who support women in STEM programming or as allies.

Let’s change the world!

I’d also love to hear from you — what stories shaped your sense of what was possible when you were a kid?

I’m Kathy, an electrical engineer turned storyteller — both behind a microphone and on the page. My mission is simple but powerful: to normalize women in STEM by sharing their stories and showing what’s possible.

Through my podcast, Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM, I highlight real stories of real women who are shaping the future in science, technology, engineering, and math. These are candid, inspiring conversations about the triumphs, challenges, and everyday realities of being a woman in STEM.

My writing takes me to a different kind of world — one filled with magical adventures designed to spark curiosity in young girls. I want them to see themselves in STEM not as something they “should” be, but as something they can be while staying authentically themselves — even if that means loving glitter, sparkles, and tutus.

I’m also working on a Women in STEM coloring book featuring contemporary women in STEM from diverse fields. It’s a hands-on, creative way for kids (and adults!) to connect with real women making an impact in STEM today.

In this newsletter, you can expect:

• Behind-the-scenes peeks into my writing journey

• Highlights and takeaways from podcast guests

• STEM spotlights and fun facts

• Sneak peeks at the coloring book and other creative projects

• Inspiration for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to encourage girls in STEM

Whether you’re here for magical adventures or real-life journeys, I’m glad you’re here — and I can’t wait to share the stories that connect them.

Big News — The Podcast is Relaunching!

I’m so excited to share that Ordinarily Extraordinary – Conversations with Women in STEM is relaunching this September with a fresh new look, a co-host, and even more inspiring conversations.

When I started this podcast, my goal was simple: to provide a platform for real stories of real women in STEM — the challenges they’ve faced, the paths they’ve taken, and the impact they’re making every day. Over the years, I’ve been amazed at how these conversations have resonated with listeners all over the world.

This fall, we’re taking it up a notch. You can expect:

• A new co-host who brings her own STEM journey and perspective

• Fresh segments that make each episode even more engaging

• Behind-the-scenes peeks you’ll only find here in the newsletter

• Custom theme music to kick things off in style - from a fellow woman in STEM!

I want to hear from YOU!
With our brand-new, much-improved website, you can call or email in your questions — or even leave us a voicemailright on the site. Want advice about navigating STEM careers? Curious about a STEM topic? Have a guest suggestion? Your messages might be featured in a future episode.

The heart of the show remains the same: authentic, unscripted conversations that remind us all that women in STEM aren’t the exception — they’re everywhere. My hope is that these stories inspire more girls to see STEM as a place where they belong.

We’ll be sharing the first new episode in September, and you’ll get the inside scoop right here in this newsletter. I can’t wait for you to hear what we’ve been working on.

Thanks for being here. This is the start of something I hope will feel like a space for curiosity, inspiration, and connection. If you know a parent, teacher, STEM professional, or fellow dreamer who might enjoy STEM Stories, please forward this email to them — the more voices we bring into this community, the stronger it becomes.

And I’d love to hear from you! Hit reply to tell me what sparks your curiosity, or leave me a voicemail on the new website. You might just see your question featured in an upcoming episode or newsletter.

Until next time,
Kathy